A ruling by a panel of former judges found that Lehman Brothers management, not Ernst & Young, was most responsible for setting in motion a maneuver that let Lehman move billions off its balance sheet.

The few public statements by Richard S. Fuld Jr. about the demise of Lehman Brothers have often been in front of the glare of a Congressional panel. In 2008, Mr. Fuld, the investment bank's chief executive, known for his temper, appeared defensive...